President’s Trophy: Arif Yaqoob picks ten wickets as SNGPL beat PTV
Arif was playing his maiden first-class match
On the third day of the second round of the President’s Trophy Grade-I, Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines (SNGPL) secured victories in their matches against Ghani Glass and Pakistan Television (PTV) respectively.
SNGPL’s Arif Yaqoob had an outstanding day, achieving his first-ever ten-wicket haul in a first-class match, contributing significantly to the team's victory against PTV.
PTV commenced their second innings from an overnight score of 66-0. Both opening batsmen, Hasan Nawaz (69, 92 balls, 9 boundaries) and Nasir Nawaz (62, 100 balls, 9 boundaries, 1 six), played impressive innings, building a partnership of 130 runs.
Leg-spinner Arif Yaqoob, in his debut first-class appearance, took remarkable figures of 10-177, initiating PTV's downfall by dismissing Nasir. He quickly followed it up by claiming the wickets of skipper Uzair Mumtaz and Daniyal Hussain Rajput for ducks. Hasan Mohsin (21, 29 balls, 4 boundaries) and Taimur Khan (7, 25 balls, 1 boundary) resisted for a brief period before the team was dismissed for 189.
Arif secured six wickets, Mohammad Ali took two scalps, while Bilawal Bhatti and Mohammad Awais Anwar claimed one wicket each.
SNGPL achieved PTV’s target of 85 within 21 overs with eight wickets in hand. Sahibzada Farhan (51 runs off 61 balls, including 4 boundaries and 4 sixes) played an excellent half-century to lead the chase. SNGPL will now confront State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on 28th December at SBP Stadium.
KRL vs Ghani Glass at State Bank Stadium, Karachi
KRL’s narrow one-wicket win against Ghani Glass stood out in this round. They clinched a memorable victory, winning by just one wicket while chasing 123 in the dying moments of the third day. KRL’s pursuit of 123 stumbled at the start when they were reduced to 67-6.
The final four batters, Kashif Ali (30 not out off 40 balls, including 2 boundaries and 1 six), Shayan Sheikh (9 runs off 11 balls, with 1 boundary), Sirajuddin (5 runs off 14 balls), and Arshadullah (8 not out off 25 balls, with 1 boundary), faced a combined total of 100 balls and contributed 52 crucial runs to the total.
Kashif Ali emerged as the top scorer for KRL while batting at number eight. He spent crucial time in the middle ensuring his team secured the win while wickets fell at regular intervals. Despite Ghulam Mudassar and Niaz Khan taking four wickets each, the Ghani Glass bowling attack failed to claim the final wicket.
Earlier in the day, Ghani Glass commenced their second innings with a 43-run lead but were swiftly dismissed for a mere 79 in 26.2 overs. Kashif Ali and Sirajuddin took four wickets each while Arshadullah supported with two wickets.
KRL will confront HEC on 28th December at UBL Sports Complex, while Ghani Glass will face Pakistan Television on the same date in the next round of the President’s Trophy.
HEC vs WAPDA at National Bank Stadium, Karachi
The match between Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) is set to continue into day four after a hard-fought day three.
Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) need 106 runs to win with six wickets in hand as they concluded day three at 114-4, chasing 220.
WAPDA had an unexpected start to their chase as both opening batsmen, Mohammad Saleem and Hassan Abid Kiyani, were dismissed for one run each, leaving the scorecard at 2-2. Umar Akmal (61 not out off 138 balls, including 6 boundaries) played a skilled innings while holding one end firm. Higher Education Commission (HEC) secured two more wickets from the other end as the experienced duo of Iftikhar Ahmed (20 runs off 63 balls) and Mohammad Saad (15 runs off 47 balls, with 3 boundaries) departed with low scores. Ayaz Tasawar (8 not out off 16 balls, with 1 boundary) will start alongside Umar on day four as WAPDA aims to chase the target.
Earlier, HEC added 172 runs to their overnight total of 111-2 on day three, eventually getting dismissed for 283.
Batting at number seven, wicketkeeper-batter Ghazi Ghouri (110 runs off 118 balls, including 17 boundaries) struck a brilliant century to help his team set a respectable target. He was supported by Mohammad Mohsin Khan (60 runs off 87 balls, with 9 boundaries) who scored a half-century. WAPDA’s skipper Iftikhar led from the front, claiming three wickets. Irfanullah Shah also took three scalps, while Naqeeb Masood and Asif Afridi secured two wickets each.
